Are you plagued by relentless headaches that feel like they might be migraines? Do you find yourself wincing at the thought of turning your neck too quickly, as if it might snap like a twig? Or perhaps you wake up with an odd, sharp pain in your ear?
When my dentist informed me that I was grinding my teeth down to mere stubs each night, my initial reaction was a mix of disbelief and defiance. I had no jaw pain or tooth sensitivity, and I was proud of my cavity-free record—until this dentist started finding new “issues” to address at every visit, charging me for fillings I never knew I needed. But then she inquired about my headaches. I had been convinced that the dull throb in my temple was a sign of something dire, maybe a brain tumor. Then she showed me photos of my teeth, worn smooth and lacking their natural contours, resembling shiny pearls rather than the molars I once knew. Before I knew it, I was fitted with a bulky night guard—an unsexy hunk of acrylic that clips onto my upper teeth.
When I finally admitted to my friends that I was a teeth grinder, I was surprised to discover how many fellow bruxers were lurking among them—research suggests that bruxism affects around 20-30% of the population. However, this number might be an underestimation, as many people likely don’t realize they are grinding away silently in their sleep. Ignoring the issue, though, can have serious consequences: the pressure exerted during grinding can reach up to 250 pounds per square inch, which is a staggering amount for something as tiny as a tooth.
Since coming forward about my nighttime habit, I’ve met a woman whose back teeth have cracked from grinding, a young boy whose grinding sounds echo through walls, and a colleague who chews through three night guards annually. Most of the bruxers I’ve talked to claim they’re no more stressed than the average person, yet they still grind their teeth every night.
Teeth grinding offers no silver lining; it’s an incredibly frustrating condition because the person doing it is completely unaware. It’s a tiny, hidden action that wreaks havoc on your entire body—I’ve felt pain radiate all the way to my hip from grinding my teeth. The only minor comfort I find is in knowing I’m not alone. I picture us all dutifully taking our Valerian Root (allegedly calming), snapping in our night guards like seasoned fighters before a big match, and crawling into bed—each of us biting down in unison, a silent legion of anxious sleepers with jaws locked tight.
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In summary, teeth grinding can be a hidden distress that leads to various physical issues. Many people are unaware of their bruxism, which can stem from stress or other factors. The experience can be isolating, but knowing that others share this struggle can provide some comfort.